The Sacramento Zoo announced Friday that one of its red pandas has died just two weeks before her 17th birthday.

"We (are) so sad to announce the death of Beckie, the Red Panda. At the age of 16 she was the third oldest Red Panda in an Association of Zoos and Aquariums facility," the zoo wrote on its Facebook page.

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Veterinarians had been treating Beckie for liver disease for the last two years, but in the last six weeks, her condition worsened and she became anemic, the zoo said.

An ultrasound exam showed that both her liver and spleen were affected and were likely causing her not to want to eat.

After discussing her quality of life, the decision was made Thursday afternoon to euthanize Beckie.

"While the loss of Beckie is difficult, her life is one that should be celebrated," primary carnivore zookeeper Amanda Watters said. "She was well loved by staff and considered our supermodel Red Panda."

Beckie was born June 8, 1999 at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and had lived at the Sacramento Zoo since 2006.